Despite Rangers defeat, Accies are slightly improving

Sep 3 2009

ACCIES performed a bit better in this game, but there was only ever going to be one winner.

Billy Reid was pleased to be able to restore skipper James McArthur and defender Mark McLaughlin for their first SPL starts of the season. In addition, he handed debuts to new signing Gary Mason and midfielder Kevin Welsh. Derek Lyle came back into midfield after missing the match at Dingwall in midweek.

Rangers got into their groove very quickly and were able to pass the ball around really well. Steven Davis ought to have opened the scoring in the 7th minute but Tomas Cerny did well to save, with the Northern Irish midfielder only able to hit the rebound into the side netting.

Accies were able to mount the occasional attack, with Marco Paixao shooting over the top, and then Lyle and McArthur combining well to win a corner kick.

But the majority of the play was with the home side and they took the lead after 19 minutes when Steven Whittaker broke clear on the right before firing the ball low past Cerny.

Rangers deserved their lead although Accies had done reasonably well for the first 20 minutes of the game. Lyle hit a shot narrowly over the bar but Allan McGregor was comfortable in the Rangers goal.

A second goal seemed likely but when it came it was really disappointing, with Kris Boyd hardly needing to jump to head a deflected cross past Cerny after 27 minutes.

Kenny Miller was in the mood too but his powerful shot just before the interval went just over the top.

Accies started the second period with David Louhoungou replacing Welsh but came very close to conceding a third goal just a couple of minutes later when Madjid Bougherra scooped the ball over from close range when he ought to have scored.

The same player was penalised for a foul on Luis Rubiales shortly afterwards and this gave Lyle a shooting chance from the free-kick. He kept his shot low and on target but McGregor did well to save.

Reid made his second change just before the hour, with Leon Knight replacing Paixao. McArthur came close to pulling a goal back just after this when he got to the bye line before thumping the ball towards the goal. McGregor blocked the shot before swiping the ball away from the toe of the lurking Knight.

Accies were having a decent spell but all of their work was to be ruined when Boyd scored his second goal; this time it was a clinical finish after good work on the wing by Steven Naismith.

Worse was to follow a couple of minutes later when Whittaker played a one-two with a team-mate before curling the ball past Cerny for an excellent goal. Rangers scented blood now and Pedro Mendes fired in a good shot that Cerny did well to save.

Mason had a promising debut and he slotted into the midfield well. However, it was time for Accies’ final change after 77 minutes and this brought Kyle Wilkie into the action.

By this time, the home side were well in control of the match and some of their supporters were starting to drift away. Accies finally made one of their few chances count with just three minutes left, when McLaughlin headed a Rubiales corner kick past McGregor.

Right at the end, substitute Knight was cautioned for a bit of mischief.

So although this was a rather predictable defeat for Accies, there were some signs that they're starting to play a bit better as a team.

McLaughlin was in great form at the back and it was good to see his partnership with Martin Canning is back in place.

It was also good to have McArthur back in midfield and Simon Mensing put in a good shift too.

Of the new players, Rubiales had a good game and James Wesolowski and Mason slotted in well.

Accies now have a fortnight to get themselves ready for their next match, at home to Hibernian, and Reid said after the game that he had set up a couple of bounce games in preparation.

Hamilton: Cerny, Mensing, Canning, McLaughlin, Rubiales, Lyle, McArthur, Mason, Wesolowski, Welsh, Paixao. Subs: Louhoungo, Knight, Wilkie.